Paul Sharkey of Foundry Chambers served as prosecuting counsel in the 2024 trial of Rasib Ghaffar, a barrister and part-time judge convicted of legal costs fraud dating back to 2011 and 2012. Ghaffar and others were found to have claimed £1.8 million in defendants’ costs orders, of which £469,000 was paid out. He was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison. Following the conviction, Ghaffar's application for leave to appeal was denied in February, and he was disbarred earlier this month.

One of the main challenges in the prosecution was cross-examining Ghaffar himself, an experienced member of the criminal Bar. Sharkey noted that Ghaffar’s legal expertise meant he was acutely aware of the implications of each question and answer, requiring Sharkey to prepare and conduct his cross-examination with exceptional precision.

Sharkey, who specializes in serious fraud cases, described his work as involving complex legal issues and large volumes of evidence, with no two cases alike. He highlighted the importance of simplicity in courtroom advocacy, recalling advice from Edmund Lawson QC to use plain, straightforward language.

Regarding influences in his career, Sharkey expressed admiration for John McGuinness KC and Mukul Chawla KC, praising their readiness to support junior barristers.

While recounting his professional experiences, Sharkey shared a lighthearted moment when his phone rang unexpectedly during cross-examination, causing confusion for a police officer he was questioning. Despite such interruptions, he values the teamwork involved in bringing challenging cases to successful conclusions, though he acknowledged the less appealing aspect of working on weekends.

On the policy front, Sharkey supports increasing the maximum prison sentence for fraud offenses to 20 years, in line with recommendations from the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offenses.

Outside the courtroom, Sharkey’s favorite song is "Train in Vain" by The Clash, which he connects to the early days of his career, travelling extensively for low fees to attend courts across the country.